Tag Archives: Miami
Legacy airlines and failed Florida hub/focus cities
Before Southwest Airlines came to dominate domestic traffic from many Florida airports and long before JetBlue and Spirit even existed, several legacy carriers attempted to set up focus cities (mini Hubs) in the state. Following airline deregulation in 1978, carriers flocked to Florida to fight the traditionally entrenched powers Eastern, Delta and National Airlines in […]
#Stayathome reading and listening suggestion: FDR takes the first ever Presidential flight
In Episode 17 of The Florida History Podcast presented by The Florida Squeeze we chronicle the rise of Pan American World Airways Florida links, from birth in Key West to development of the US’ first major international airport on Dinner Key in Coconut Grove, Miami. We also discuss President Franklin Roosevelt becoming the first US President […]
Thursday Bookshelf: SKYGODS The Fall of Pan Am
Having recently reread the the excellent book Skygods: The Fall of Pan Am the subject of Pan American World Airways, America’s global ambassador which was born in Key West and throughout its history maintained a large presence in Miami was very much on my mind. From 1927 until 1969 Pan American World Airways was the undisputed […]
Flashback Friday: Flying the Sunshine to Florida
1970’s were a glory era in Florida politically and economically. Tourism and job growth exploded while the economy diversified. With visionary leaders like Governor Reubin Askew, the state projected an image of efficiency, smart growth, environmental consciousness and most of all paradise to the rest of the country.One company that benefited from Florida’s robust growth […]
Flashback Friday: Florida (and Metropolitan Miami) road map from 1968
Another map from my collection – Florida (and Metropolitan Miami) in 1968. The most fascinating part of this map is to see the development of the Interstate system. By 1968, much of the Interstate system had been either constructed or planned in Florida. One key note was that I-75 ended in Tampa and was not […]
SkyRise Miami moving forward
Miami’s already obscene skyline appears poised to become even more unbearable. The nine tallest buildings in the State of Florida are already contained in the few square miles between Interstate 395 to the north and Coral Way to the south, mostly along Brickell Avenue and Biscayne Blvd. CNBC has a report on the SkyRise Miami […]
Mass Transit in Florida getting a needed boost
Public transit has never been sexy in the state of Florida. For years the commuter car culture dominated the thinking of state planners despite the efforts of the political leadership in every major urban area. The opposition to high-speed rail from statewide Republicans and Palm Beach County Democrats (who represent the urban county with the […]
Flashback Friday: Expressway revolts in Dade, Broward, Pinellas and Hillsborough
In the 1960’s urban planners were preparing for explosive growth in the Tampa Bay area and southeast Florida. Population was exploding in both areas and various proposals for expressways were floated and eventually adopted by regional planning councils.The network of expressways proposed would have displaced existing neighborhoods and would have cost millions in local tax […]
Miami is emerging as the “new” New York for international media
Miami and the greater South Florida area have long benefited from geography and climate. In recent years, Miami has emerged as a truly global destination and one of the most recognizable American cities abroad. While the area’s reputation isn’t always pristine domestically or even in the state of Florida, internationally the image of the area […]
Miami International becomes first US Airport to hit 100 airlines
We didn’t notice this at the time but when Finnair returned to Miami International Airport after a long absence (including a period when the airline served Fort Lauderdale instead of Miami) last month, MIA became the first airport in the United States to be served by 100 different airlines.
The Florida Squeeze 